Statewide poll shows 'strong support' for Waste Control Specialists

by Staff ReportsMidland Reporter-Telegram

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, May 10, 2010

ANDREWS — Texans overwhelmingly support Waste Control Specialists' low-level radioactive waste disposal facility in Andrews County, according to the results of a new statewide poll released Tuesday by the Andrews Industrial Foundation.

Sixty-one percent said they support the disposal of low-level radioactive waste when initially asked, and that number increased to 72 percent when they learned more about the facility.

The statewide survey also shows Texans overwhelmingly support the notion that the citizens of Andrews should be allowed to pursue the disposal of low-level radioactive waste in their county.

"From our poll results, the conclusion is clear: the people of Texas strongly support the WCS facility," said pollster Mike Baselice, president and CEO of Baselice & Associates. "In addition, the poll reveals that across the state, Texans support the ability of Andrews to determine its own economic future."

There is some skepticism, however. Andrews resident Peggy Pryor questioned the accuracy of the poll and said a Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Coalition poll showed 80 percent of Lone Star residents are against having nuclear waste in Texas.

Andrews Industrial Foundation President Lloyd Eisenrich said many statewide and national polls use 1,000 or less people as a sample.

The 61 percent in support said they were in favor of permanent disposal of low-level radioactive waste in this remote location in Andrews County. When it was explained the waste consists of medical waste and nuclear power plants — but not spent fuel rods, the percentage rose to 72 percent.

Eisenrich said AIF plans to share the poll's findings with the Texas Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission, which may meet in June in Andrews County, although no firm date has been set yet.

"There have been a lot of conflicting assertions about what Texans think about our facility in Andrews and the disposal of low-level radioactive waste," Eisenrich said in a news release. "That's why we retained the preeminent pollster in Texas to do a legitimate scientific survey on this issue.

"The results are clear: Texans understand the need for a Texas solution for low-level radioactive waste disposal, and they support what we are doing in Andrews," he said.

Finding highlights:

- Eighty-nine (89) percent of Texans agree the citizens of Andrews should be allowed to determine whether a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility operates in their community.

- Sixty-one (61) percent favor the permanent disposal of low-level radioactive waste in Waste Control Specialists' remote facility in Andrews County. That support increased to 72 percent when voters learned more about the type of waste, the facility and the state oversight involved.